The Closed Gate
"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD." — Isaiah 55:8
Have you ever been heartbroken over a missed opportunity?
Seventy years ago, my wife Ginger was five years old. Her dad was an evangelist, and he'd been traveling for weeks. He was on the West Coast, praying he could catch a flight to Oklahoma to spend just one night with his family before heading to the East Coast for another revival.
He left the meeting early. He ran red lights. He drove as fast as he could. And he made it to the airport just in time—to watch them close the gate on the flight he was supposed to be on.
He couldn't believe it. He drove to a hotel heartbroken, praying, "Lord, I haven't seen my family in three weeks. All I wanted was one night. I don't understand."
The next morning, he woke up to headlines. That very plane—the one with the closed gate—had collided with another airline over the Grand Canyon. 128 people died instantly.
From that moment on, he began to look at his life differently. Thanking God for detours. Thanking God for no's. Thanking God for stops.
You see, God has a plan for your life. His timing is perfect. His plan is perfect. And you're not going to miss it.
That closed gate might be saving your life. That "no" might be the greatest "yes" you've ever received.
Rest in Him. Express your trust in Him when a detour happens. It may well save your life and empower you to take the next step with confidence.
Have you ever been heartbroken over a missed opportunity?
Seventy years ago, my wife Ginger was five years old. Her dad was an evangelist, and he'd been traveling for weeks. He was on the West Coast, praying he could catch a flight to Oklahoma to spend just one night with his family before heading to the East Coast for another revival.
He left the meeting early. He ran red lights. He drove as fast as he could. And he made it to the airport just in time—to watch them close the gate on the flight he was supposed to be on.
He couldn't believe it. He drove to a hotel heartbroken, praying, "Lord, I haven't seen my family in three weeks. All I wanted was one night. I don't understand."
The next morning, he woke up to headlines. That very plane—the one with the closed gate—had collided with another airline over the Grand Canyon. 128 people died instantly.
From that moment on, he began to look at his life differently. Thanking God for detours. Thanking God for no's. Thanking God for stops.
You see, God has a plan for your life. His timing is perfect. His plan is perfect. And you're not going to miss it.
That closed gate might be saving your life. That "no" might be the greatest "yes" you've ever received.
Rest in Him. Express your trust in Him when a detour happens. It may well save your life and empower you to take the next step with confidence.
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